ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Policy Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Institute for Justice

Senior Research Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Experience conducting original analytical research, such as with a policy institute, in alegislative, executive, or regulatory role, orthrough a university-based research center. * Strong skills with ...

Echelon Insights

Digital Research Analyst

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Digital Research Analyst Echelon Insights is hiring a Digital Research Analyst to research, monitor ... A strong interest in the news, politics, and public policy, with the ability to quickly get up to ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Operations Research Analyst

Langley, VA · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

Operations Research Analyst The Opportunity : As an operations analyst, you're passionate about ... Candidate AI Usage Policy AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the ...

Echelon Insights

Digital Research Analyst

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Digital Research Analyst Echelon Insights is hiring a Digital Research Analyst to research, monitor ... A strong interest in the news, politics, and public policy, with the ability to quickly get up to ...

Echelon Insights

Digital Research Analyst

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Digital Research Analyst Echelon Insights is hiring a Digital Research Analyst to research, monitor ... A strong interest in the news, politics, and public policy, with the ability to quickly get up to ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsPolicy Research Analyst JobsPolicy Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia

Policy Research Analyst information

See Virginia salary details

$38.2K

$73.3K

$98.6K

How much do policy research analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for policy research analyst in Virginia is $73,331.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,500.00 and $97,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a policy research analyst do?

A Policy Research Analyst studies and evaluates policies, laws, and regulations to provide informed recommendations to organizations, government agencies, or advocacy groups. They gather and analyze data, review existing policies, and prepare reports to help guide decision-making. Analysts often specialize in areas like healthcare, education, environment, or public administration, and their work helps shape effective and evidence-based policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a policy research analyst?

To thrive as a Policy Research Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research, and a relevant degree such as public policy, economics, or political science. Familiarity with statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, Stata), policy databases, and data visualization software is often required. Exceptional written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail help convey complex information effectively and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills are crucial for producing accurate, actionable policy recommendations that drive informed decision-making.

What are some common challenges policy research analysts face when synthesizing complex data for policy recommendations?

Policy Research Analysts often encounter the challenge of translating large volumes of complex, and sometimes conflicting, data into clear and actionable policy recommendations. Balancing thoroughness with the need for concise communication, especially for non-technical stakeholders, can be demanding. Analysts must also ensure that their findings are unbiased and grounded in evidence, while adapting to evolving policy priorities and tight deadlines. Effective collaboration with subject matter experts and policy makers is essential to overcome these hurdles and produce impactful research.

What is the difference between Policy Research Analyst vs Policy Advisor?

AspectPolicy Research AnalystPolicy Advisor
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Public Policy, Political Science, or related fieldsSimilar educational background, often with additional experience in policy development
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, think tanksGovernment departments, legislative offices, consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in research-focused roles within public and private sectorsAdvising policymakers and stakeholders on policy decisions
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles, data analysis, policy evaluationPolicy development, strategic advice, stakeholder engagement

While both roles involve policy work, Policy Research Analysts focus on data collection, analysis, and research to inform policy decisions. Policy Advisors, on the other hand, provide strategic guidance and recommendations directly to policymakers, often utilizing research findings to shape policy outcomes.

What are popular job titles related to Policy Research Analyst jobs in Virginia?

For Policy Research Analyst jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Policy Research Analyst jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Policy Research Analyst jobs in Virginia are:

Policy Research Analyst jobs near you
Infographic showing various Policy Research Analyst job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $73,331 per year, or $35.3 per hour.

Research Analyst - Economist

Institute for Defense Analyses

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$113K - $277K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Overview:
The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is an independent, non-profit, federally-funded research and development center that provides objective analyses to the Department of War and other federal government agencies. Economists at IDA support senior defense leaders by applying economic theory and analytic methods to issues of National Security policy and resource management. As needed, we apply proven tools to new problems and data, develop new models, and generate new theory.
Recent examples of our work:
  • Training machine learning models to predict individuals' career events using a rich set of administrative personnel records
  • Estimating causal effects of staffing levels and characteristics on mission effectiveness
  • Designing a personnel retention experiment impacting thousands of service members
  • Designing a trial of alcohol market interventions for use on military bases to learn whether such interventions can prevent harmful behaviors associated with alcohol misuse
  • Architecting a collaborative data-hosting analytic platform to facilitate timely and secure analysis of sensitive Department of War information assets across a diverse community of users
  • Exploring alternative organizational structures and delivery methods for educating and training military medical personnel, in order to reduce costs and streamline management
  • Constructing mechanisms for the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs to care for each other's patients and to better transfer funding across departments
  • Identifying opportunities to transfer positions among active and reserve military personnel, federal civilians, and contractors in order to reduce costs and concentrate military personnel in more operational (vs. administrative) positions

Who will you get to work with?
Work at IDA is conducted in a collaborative environment with multi-disciplinary teams. Researchers work closely with and are in frequent contact with government sponsors. Consequently, we value strong communication skills.
What will you gain?
As an IDA economist, you will have unique access to sensitive and proprietary data to address questions of National Security. You will have the opportunity to use your expertise to make a meaningful impact. Our work regularly informs defense policy and resource management decisions. We take pride in the high caliber and timeliness of our analyses, our independent thinking, and our objective results.
Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in Economics or related discipline
  • Demonstrated research excellence and a strong interest in applied research
  • Demonstrated superior skills in quantitative, econometric, statistical, or computational methods
  • US Citizenship is required
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.
  • We will consider job market candidates preparing to graduate, recent graduates, and mid-career individuals.

Why work at IDA?
  • Competitive salary and benefits, including diverse health insurance options, generous 10% contribution to retirement, 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave, 20 days paid time off plus 10 Federal holidays, and relocation reimbursement.
  • Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our Nation's warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL)
  • Organization-wide commitment to diversity in the workplace and providing a working environment free from discrimination, by fostering a culture of active citizenship and implementing data-driven processes of continuous feedback and learning
  • Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings, and funding for researcher-pitched projects and publications
  • A strong employee and corporate culture of work-life balance, including commitment to average 40-hour work weeks through flex time, telework options, and expectation of communication only during core business hours
  • Located near Washington, D.C., in Alexandria's high-tech corridor, IDA's brand-new Potomac Yard facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, workspaces, and amenities, including a gym
    Compensation -
    We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $113,353 - $277,494. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent's experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.

Application Process
Interested candidates must follow a 2-step process and apply on-line to BOTH of the following:
1) Apply here by uploading a CV and cover letter
AND
2) Submit a CV, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and your job market paper (or equivalent items) with your application to JOE.
We will be conducting first-round interviews virtually.
U.S. Citizenship is required
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required
IDA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a fair recruiting process and working environment free from discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Click here to learn more about IDA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Apply